Meet The 23 Richest Politicians In The World

No one goes into politics to get rich, but politicians happen to be some of the wealthiest figures around the globe.German newspaper Die Welt‘s World’s Luxury Guide section recently released a list of the world’s richest politicians, and from local officials and members of Congress to foreign ministers and royal heirs, the list includes newcomers and regulars alike.

Though many of those who made the list come from the Middle East and Southeast Asia, the third richest lawmaker on the list is New York City’s own Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

Leaders without any real involvement in matters of state, like Bhumibol Adulyad, King of Thailand were excluded from the list.

#22 Jane Harman

Net Worth: $160-$326 million

Residence: United States

Position: Member, House of Representatives

Harman was born in New York City and grew up in California. She attended Smith College for undergrad before graduating from Harvard Law School in 1969. After resigning from Congress in early 2011, she became the head of the Woodrow Wilson International centre for Scholars.

#21 Michael McCaul

Net Worth: $258-$380 million

Residence: United States

Position: Member, House of Representatives

McCaul is a fourth generation Texan from Dallas. He attended Trinity University and earned his J.D. from St. Mary's University in San Antonio in 1987. He served as Deputy Attorney General until 2002 before running for Congress in 2005. In 2011, he was named wealthiest member of Congress. McCaul is married to Linda McCaul, the daughter of Clear Channel Communications Chairman Lowry Mays.

#20 Darrell Issa

Net Worth: $195-$700 million

Residence: United States

Position: Member, House of Representatives

Issa is a self-made millionaire who is a former CEO of Directed Electronics--the auto security and convenience products manufacturer, which he founded in the mid-1990s. In 1994, Inc. Magazine, Ernst & Young, and The San Diego Union Tribune named him Entrepreneur of the Year. He has served in Congress since 2001.

#19 Asif Ali Zardari

Net Worth: $1-$4 billion

Residence: Pakistan

Position: President

Zardari is the 11th President of Pakistan. He served as an investment minister in the 1990s while his wife, Benazir Bhutto, was prime minister. He is the son of a wealthy Sindhi tribal leader who has homes in France, Britain, Spain, and Florida, and multiple bank accounts in Switzerland according to The Telegraph.

#15 Sebastian Piñera

Net Worth: $2.5 billion

Residence: Chile

Position: President

Piñera has been President of Chile since 2010, having served as a senator since the early 1990s. Prior to running for office, Piñera created Bancard S.A. so Chileans would have better access to payment by credit card. He also helped launch a handful of other companies including Las Américas Real Estate Company S.A.; served as the main representative in Chile for Apple; and became a key shareholder for Lan Chile and Chilevisión.

#12 Wu Yajun

Net Worth: $6.67 billion

Residence: China

Position: Member, National People's Council

Wu, a former journalist, is chairwoman of Longfor Properties in which her family holds 70 per cent of the shares. The Hurun Rich List--the Chinese equivalent to the annual rich list put out by Forbes--named her the richest woman in China in 2011.

#11 Hans-Adam II

Net Worth: $4-$7.6 billion

Residence: Liechtenstein

Position: Prince

Prince Hans-Adam II studied management and economics at the University of St. Gallen and received the Licentiate degree in 1969. He owns LGT banking group and an impressive art collection, which is up for display at the Liechtenstein Museum.

#9 Serge Dassault

Net Worth: $8 billion

Residence: France

Position: Senator

Dassault is chairman of Groupe Dassault and owner of Le Figaro, a French daily paper. His father, Marcel Dassault, is the founder of Dassault Aviation. His philanthropy, Fondation Serge Dassault, sponsors programs for pediatric cancer and handicapped adults.

#8 Zong Qinghou

Net Worth: $10.8 billion

Residence: China

Position: Member, National People's Council

Zong is the Chairman and CEO of the beverage empire Wahaha Group. CNN Money recently named him one of the 15 businessmen to have most influenced China, and Forbes reported that he is expanding into the department store and natural resource sectors.

#3 Michael Bloomberg

Net Worth: $18.1 billion

Residence: United States

Position: Mayor of New York

Bloomberg is the founder and owner of Bloomberg LP, the financial news and information company that has over 300,000 subscribers. He has an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and is serving his third term as New York City mayor.

#2 Hassanal Bolkiah

Net Worth: $20 billion

Residence: Brunei

Position: Sultan

Sultan Bolkiah has been head of state since 1967. His fortune lies in the oil and gas industry. He has an extensive auto collection (reportedly 7,000 cars and counting), and Istana Nurul Iman, his official residence, is one of the world's largest palaces at 2,152,782 square feet.

#1 Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz

Net Worth: $21 billion

Residence: Saudi Arabia

Position: King

King Abdullah reigns in a country that controls 20 per cent of known oil reserves. He became King of Saudi Arabia in 2005. Since then he has focused on developing cities to foster economic improvement. He has also set up several welfare projects and two universities, one of which is for girls.